₹5 Crore Cash, 22 Luxury Watches, Gold: CBI Unearths Treasure Trove from Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar

In a major anti-corruption operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior Punjab Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, on serious charges of demanding and accepting bribes.

Bhullar, who holds the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) for the Ropar range, was arrested in a meticulously planned sting operation at his Mohali office, allegedly caught red-handed while accepting a sum of ₹8 lakh.

The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged by Akash Batta, a scrap businessman from Fatehgarh Sahib. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Batta alleged that DIG Bhullar was extorting recurring monthly payments through an aide, identified as Kirshanu. The purpose of the bribe was reportedly to "settle" an existing police case (FIR No. 155/2023) against the businessman and to guarantee no future police interference in his business operations.

The CBI's investigation corroborated the claims, unearthing a digital breadcrumb trail that directly implicated the senior officer. A verified WhatsApp conversation between Bhullar and his middleman proved to be a critical piece of evidence. In a recorded call, Bhullar was allegedly heard instructing Kirshanu, "8 fadne ne 8" (Collect 8), followed by, "Jinna denda nal nal fadi chal, ohnu kehde 8 kar de pura" (Collect whatever he gives for now, tell him to make it a full 8), Hindustan Times reported.

The conversation further solidified the allegation of a monthly extortion racket, with the middleman telling the complainant that the DIG was complaining about missed payments for August and September.

The scenes following the arrest were even more dramatic. CBI raids on properties linked to Bhullar uncovered a massive trove of illicit wealth. Officials shared visuals of bags filled with cash and jewellery, with the total cash seizure reported to be upwards of ₹5 crore. The haul also included approximately 1.5 kg of gold jewellery, a collection of 22 luxury watches, and keys to a Mercedes and an Audi.

Additionally, investigators recovered documents for various immovable properties, keys to bank lockers, 40 litres of imported liquor, and a significant cache of firearms, including a double-barreled gun, a pistol, a revolver, and ammunition.

The case is particularly jarring given Bhullar's public profile. The son of a highly respected former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), Mehal Singh Bhullar, Harcharan Bhullar was considered a key figure in the state government's flagship "Yudh Nasheyan Virudh" (War Against Drugs) campaign.

He maintained a low-profile yet effective image and notably headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that interrogated prominent political leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with drug trafficking allegations. This stark contrast between his public duty and the alleged private criminality has sent shockwaves through the state's police and administrative circles.